The USPA Is Taking Action To Ensure Proper Tandem Instructor Certification

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) reports that a recent fatal tandem accident and subsequent information have led USPA to conclude that a number of candidates who attended tandem instructor rating courses at certain locations conducted by certain instructors, were not properly taught and/or were not properly certified.

The USPA statement says that some courses may have been abbreviated or incomplete, or candidates may not have met initial qualifications. Post-course rating applications may have been submitted under false pretenses or with forged signatures since, in some cases, the course examiner had been suspended and was not authorized to conduct courses.

In the interest of public safety, USPA is taking steps to ensure that all of approximately 140 tandem instructors and candidates affected can demonstrate proper emergency procedures, have completed the knowledge tests from USPA and tandem manufacturer United Parachute Technologies and have submitted proper rating applications to both UPT and USPA.

About 120 must undergo a new USPA-developed refresher course (some immediately and most by September 30), while some 20 others have had their ratings suspended and must undergo a full and complete tandem instructor rating course conducted by a current USPA Tandem Examiner.

After September 30, any affected tandem candidate or instructor who has not completed the appropriate process will be suspended (or continue to be suspended) from conducting tandem jumps.

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is a voluntary non-profit membership organization of individuals who enjoy and support the sport of skydiving. According to the USPA website, the USPA’s mission is three-fold:

• to promote safe skydiving through training, licensing and instructor qualification programs.
• to ensure skydiving’s rightful place on airports and in the airspace system.
• to promote competition and record-setting programs.

FMI: USPA original source